Raptors' Rudy Gay throws downs a vicious dunk against the New Orleans Hornets during last night's game at the Air Canada Centre. Gay scored 20 points and had eight rebounds in the game as the Raps won their second in a row, 102-89.

There are a lot of similarities between the Raptors and the New Orleans Hornets as they currently stand.

Both teams are obviously young teams working to get back into the playoff picture.

And both teams have recently added players who can help get them there.

In Toronto that would be Rudy Gay, a legitimate end-of-the-game performer who has already opened up things for DeMar DeRozan while taking on those game-closing responsibilities.

In New Orleans, the return to health of shooting guard Eric Gordon has been huge. With Gordon in the lineup, the Hornets are a respectable 8-7, although Sunday night in Toronto, he was more non-factor than factor.

“We have similar situations in two young teams and we’re in the same growth process,” Raptors head coach Dwane Casey said. “Now they’re trying to incorporate Eric Gordon back into the fold, but we’re in similar situations as far as where our programs are and what we are trying to accomplish.”